[Closed] Annual Festive 500 Thread

I’m in. Will hopefully be my 2nd completion on the bounce, with only the weather to get in the way this year.

Hoping for a big start on the 24/25th (not currently feeling the form for this) and the potential for an epic adventure later in the week with my wife to make up for doing not much at all festive.

May be bad luck, but I’ve already purchased and worn the branded cap from rapha as my old one died and it was the cheapest one they had.

Not sure I can be arsed this year. Think I'll try and get out on the MTB with some mates while we're allowed instead of thrashing around drizzly roads on my own.

Have a long ride planned for the 30th but hadn't thought about trying for the full 500, would either involve a lot of miles pre-7am or post-7pm (3yr old sleepy times) which I don't really fancy, or a lot of turbo miles which I don't think I'd take much satisfaction from.

I think reaching 6500km for the year is a more realistic goal, just needs 3 more decent rides 😎

Done it twice now(with a failure inbetween) and it was brutal both times. Central Scotland is not conducive to completing it.
Both those wee framed patches mean a lot.
I doff my cap to all who attempt it.

Last year was a breeze and ended up on 600km. This year I'm not even getting the bike out of the cellar. Good luck to those who attempt it.

I’m thinking I may do it. Eight days for 500k should be easy but there’s quite a few buts. I can’t ride on Christmas Day, family duties. I am working 4 of the days so that limits me to a shorter ride. Still around 70k a day for seven days is doable especially as the weekend of 26th/27th should be a great opportunity to bank some ks.

Will see how it starts as day 1 is forecast light snow/sleet. If I can get 70k in on Thursday it’s game on I think.

Legs are tired before this starts though as I have been trying to get my annual distance up recently so have been riding every day for the last six days. If I get 60k in tomorrow I will be on 15500k for the year. That just leaves the festive 500 to get me to 16000.

I'm going to have a go this year. Never had the time to do it before.

As Richard E Grant (and some Danish prince) once said: I have of late, wherefore I know not, lost all of my mirth. 

I need to get it back and I have a feeling that 500km wet km might be just the ticket.

Good luck all

Was all set to do it this year - first in several years where I’m not away from home with work. Because I no longer have a job to go to. 🙄

But now I have COVID, and will be isolating until 27th. Don’t fancy trying 500km in four days. And I feel terrible: I think I may be off my game for a good while after this, whether I’m out of isolation or not.

Tempted to try one long ride as a farewell to 2020 instead. I’ve ticked off this month’s 100k, and I don’t think a real (imperial) century is likely so might kiss that off too.

Best to all those riding it.

I'm in, will be my fifth or sixth, though I skipped last year. I've not got a whole lot else on apart from WFH. I don't mind the cold but this year is looking warm and rainy, which isn't ideal so I reserve the right to abandon and stay dry. On the plus side I do have a new Diverge with mudguards, which is pretty much the perfect Festive 500 bike. I've not done a century this year, for the first time in years, so that could be an opening move and then see what the weather does. IMO Zwift or going to Mallorca / Australia is cheating.

Festive 50 I think. Not this year. But will get out on fixed. No M25 ring either for the last rise of the year. No badges either, so no loss really 🙁

Working 24th and at most I’ll get an hour in on Xmas day, so getting it done in 6 days won’t be fun. One of my club mates is doing it so I’ll join him for company for a few rides.

Tried it twice and never got within 100km. The combo of icy lanes and not many easy kms round here always defeat me. I think you need to get half done in 2 long rides to stand a chance.

I’ve not done a century this year, for the first time in years, so that could be an opening move

Did my first century of 2020 yesterday, was a tough day of headwinds and ice, not sure I'd fancy trying many miles today! I'd want to warm into the challenge I think before going big...

Going to give it a go although the decent start planned for tomorrow may be difficult as it's forecast to be icy now

http://rob-gardiner.com/festive4000/

I have two weeks off and was all ready to go, then tore a glute muscle - now hobbling around the house off the bike till it heals 🙁

I was going to but just checked the weather, its ok Christmas eve and Christmas day although massively windy and I cant get many miles in those days.

Then raining at the weekend with 24mph winds so that is a no go for me.

Snowing Monday and Tuesday again not looking likely.

Then back to work, I dont think I am going to even bother starting it.

You can do it on zwift this year but i think that might be harder than going out in the rain 500k on a turbo trainer would probably push me over the edge....

Yeah, I've been looking at the weather... Hoping for a 100-miler tomorrow in decent weather, a short-ish one on Christmas morning (it's forecast to be frosty but hopefully not too icy) and then see where that leaves me. If I can then find some windows of decent weather from 26th - 31st, hopefully I can tick off what should be about 160-ish miles left to do.

Anyway, the bikes are cleaned and prepped, lights are charged and I've got the basics of a century ride planned out for tomorrow.

I'm so shallow. I've done it five times before but without the prospect of a patch, it holds no interest for me.

I did do the Restrap solstice century last weekend (for the patch, obviously 😀 ).

Not for me this year. Completed a couple of times but torn knee ligaments and a fractured tibia mean I've not done decent distances. Back on bike though so happier.

Looking out the window this morning to a nice covering of snow....mmmm. Not so sure about this festive 500 now

My last 100Km ride was back in mid September, during which by my own standards I smashed it up Cheddar Gorge and Burrington Combe, before crawling back to to the holiday caravan.

I've got no real idea where my stamina fitness is at now, I've woken up late and I've not planned any routes. There's a stiff northerly breeze making it feel like -1C and the weather doesn't improve much over the weekend...

Only ever done a single week of 300+ miles and that was July 2018

Think I'll be taking it one ride at a time, throwing in a number of sub 90min turbo rides and seeing what happens.

Maybe I should just go back to sleep! 🤯

65k this morning to open with. Lovely day, could have done a 100 but have an appointment at 12.00

Shame as I probably won't get out tomorrow and the weather takes a dive after that.....

Hobbled myself on Sunday by ripping a couple of holes in my calf with my pedal...

Hoping I can salvage at least some of the Christmas period for a bit of road riding!

Just signed up after doing the zwift TTT this morning! Not done it before and, being a heathen, will probably do most of it on Zwift (although planning on getting out for reals with the Mrs tomorrow & BD if weather OK!)

110km ticked off this morning and about to head out to rack up another 30km this afternoon. First time I've got a decent chance of getting it done, so praying for consistent miles this year!

Was going to have a crack this year, but what with us being in T4 and the fact there’s a winter storm hitting in the next couple of days it’s going to have to be majority Zwift.

Knocked off a quick 75km in a couple of hours this morning. If I keep doing that I’ll be able to eat like Henry VIII and not end up looking (any more) like him 😉

Managed a flat 107km this morning on Zwift. Not sure if I will complete it, but at least day 1 is a reasonable effort.

68k on Zwift this morning and then a cheeky 20k just now, plan is for 60km poodle around an empty London on 27th then 150k social ride on 30th, the rest will be on Zwift.

Braved the snow and went out for a 72k road ride at lunchtime. So 1/7th of the way there. Day off tomorrow 🤪 I think I deserve a rest.

Had hoped at one stage to open with a 200km audax, but abandoned that idea due to time constraints, which was just as well because the weather was foul this morning: driving sleet. Scaled the proposed mileage back again, from hoping for close to a century to whatever-I-can-get, and did a couple of jobs around the house to put off going out: if I'm only going to ride for a few hours, no point going out in the sleet AND dark. Left about 9, an hour's riding in sleet/snow, but once I'd got out into the proper countryside, having stopped for a coffee and a mince pie, it cleared up and there was a nice dusting of snow making everything look pretty, but not making riding problematic.

The sleet returned as I was coming back into town, but I'd managed to get 60 miles in, so not too bad all told. Probably nowt tomorrow, perhaps Boxing Day too, then back on it, with a 200 to fit in somewhere.

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I think I'll try to tick off a few routes on zwift over the next week. Doubt I'll get many road miles in as I've a full week at work. If I do 250/300km I'll be happy.

First time doing it, will all be done on Zwift as I don’t have an “outside” bike of any description. I’ve had a really lazy year so this’ll be a challenge to round it off.

Did 80km just now. Joined up with a pace partner and took a couple of hours. Same again except it’ll be early morning tomorrow and Boxing Day before work interrupts things on Sunday 🙄

115k down, but plenty of flooded roads.

100 miles (just). Had a few Garmin issues where it crashed and eventually, fearing a corrupted file and the loss of a significant chunk of data, I stopped it, reset everything and started again. Finished the ride with a contrived out and back bit to make up the distance. Anyway, combined the files and sure enough I'm missing about 4 miles where the GPS has just had a complete meltdown but at least the bulk of it is there.

Mostly fairly clean roads, a few slightly icy patches early on.
Lights and GPS on charge, will see what sort of temperatures we get tomorrow and how much ice is around before deciding on a route.

Due to being an hour and half late leaving (thanks work emails!), I just did 99 very enjoyable km. (Yes I should have gone around the block). Saw lots of other riders out taking advantage of the sunny weather (strong headwind notwithstanding).

Another Zwift festive 500 here! It def makes it easier though. 110km ticked off today. Nothing planned tomorrow and then back on it on Boxing Day.

Zwifters it’s amazing how you can tick off distance on a stationary trainer 🤪 what was it Scotty used to say on Star Trek “You canny change the laws of physics”

71Km eventually ticked off on Tempus Fugit just before dinner, stuck in neutral all day and had a few chores to do, plus felt very unconfident about how long I'd manage outside in those wintery conditions because I'm so out of practice of 90min+ rides at the mo.

Slackers...Matt Page has finished...one big ride!

The Welsh Dynamo! Respect.
I managed 80 miles. Sketchy first thing and ****ing Baltic later. Especially the bit where I got a puncture... 😐

https://twitter.com/darwendashers/status/1342111033515778051?s=21

Going to have a go at this, mainly as I have lots of time to fill and I can do the majority of it on Zwift. Not competing for a physical badge means it doesn't feel like cheating too. 70k done today, will try and do 2hr sessions each morning and a 1hr/real ride in the afternoon. Might even chuck in a few 100k attempts too.

Started with 20k on zwift which won't upload to Strava, then went out IRL, 5 k to meet s couple of friends, had a coffee road home, very icy. Back on zwift managed to get in 83, of which 64 are logged, was hoping for better, nothing tomorrow, maybe a long zwift sat then try and get outdoors again

Well after missing out last year due to recovering from a broken shoulder blade I threw my hat into the ring with a 167 km ride today on the TT bike. Sub zero temps first thing so kept to the main roads that were gritted well. Hoping to complete the challenge in 3 rides, last time I did it in 2018 I did it in two massive rides but this year due to COVID it won’t be possible ( 160miles plus would mean I’d have to go well into Cumbria, a tier 2 area so I don’t feel comfortable doing it) hopefully do another Ton on Sunday then another 100miler next week should see me right.

Although I’ve done loads of miles on Zwift I personally don’t feel it’s right doing the Rapha500 on it. To me the challenge is going out in all weathers, having the grit and determination to complete the challenge in horrible conditions.

Harsh frost overnight here, was down to about -4. It's warmed up to a positively tropical -1 now and it's a stunning day but I'm going to wait a while longer before braving any of the lanes or trails around here.

only 35km today, didn't fancy risking the road bike. It was cold enough to be icy but not cold enough to deal with the mud offroad. total of 150km now. Looking at the forecast today should be the only icey day, Back on the road tomorrow.

70k yesterday then out at 6 this morning, 40k done but kept to the A roads. The lanes round my way (Gloucestershire) were treacherous, -2 to -4 indicated on the Garmin. Hopefully warmer tomorrow to get a longer one in.

Nipped out this aft and got 37 miles in.
https://twitter.com/darwendashers/status/1342527299154046976?s=21

Ticked off another 35 to take my total to 166km so far. Hoping to knock out 100km on the road bike and 30km on the MTB tomorrow.

There is a chap ( friend of a friend) attempting it in one sitting as it were at the moment He’s riding around one of the local lakes ( a 10km Asphalted route) . So that would be fifty rounds! 😳 He’s got a few other people accompanying him at various times.

i am doing it for all the fat old uns, who think they cant.

50 miles yesterday on icy cold back roads was ace.
10 miles earlier today, to make room for xmas pudding.
40 planned for tomorrow.

we will see.

Another morning stuck in neutral, but surprisingly squeezed in another 59Km before Xmas dinner on Zwift, so 130Km tally and still in with a shout of pulling off this fake miracle. Bit warmer over the weekend outdoors, but Met Office wind warnings, so I'll be amazed if I do a real ride in the elements before Monday.

Slackers…Matt Page has finished…one big ride!

Always good to see what Matt challenges himself to. And he was back out this morning on his annual jaunt through Bethlehem

The lack of a leaderboard this year is a bit annoying - not being able to keep track of how friends are getting on with the same challenge is proving to be quite a disincentive for me getting out in the bad weather!

Another 100km ticked off today to get me to 262km so far.

75 rather wet km this morning on the CX bike gets me to 235 total. Wind is definitely picking up, glad I got out while it was still relatively calm even though the roads were soaking.

That said there were no cars around at all for the first hour, it was almost spookily quiet. A few people out jogging, one or two cyclists but the roads were quieter than during lockdown! Got busier later especially as the weather cleared a bit and as I got into the more touristy bits of the Peak District.

155 so far for me, hoping for a short MTB ride with son this afternoon but need a couple of good day between tomorrow and Tuesday

another 80km ticked off, breezy and drizzly. 230km done now. One thing I am noticing is the lack of long rides this year.

Ground out 50 miles this morning before the weather warning kicks in. It’s getting a bit tough now. Still, 270km done. Over half way. 👍
https://twitter.com/darwendashers/status/1342834666043305986?s=21

Another 25km on the MTB takes me up to 288km total. Day off tomorrow and then back on it Monday.

Didn't get out on Xmas day as expected which was annoying as it was proper nice weather.

Managed 50k on the road today till the rain kicked in and then another 25 on zwift.

So total of 145 so far....hmmmm. Hopefully getting a couple of long days in next week otherwise it will be a fail!

A painful 85 on Zwift to take me to 217, taking me to a very rare since August ~8 hours riding time this this week so far.

Christmas Day was a family day (and beautifully sunny down south) but did 112km today. Brutal headwind in places so pleased with my speedy 15mph average! You'd come to a standstill if you stood on your pedals going downhill. Very little traffic about, lots of riders and runners and walkers. There are some things I really like about lockdowns.

Went out today did 60 miles was planning on 100 miles.

Was so bored was just grey and miserable didn’t enjoy it in the slightest.

I quit, mountain biking on Monday going to go and have fun instead.

Up to 159km so far, not bad considering I didn't pedal at all on christmas day. 68km per day is a decent target left and I'm also using the target to tick off the longer routes on Zwift as extra motivation. Plan of attack now is 50k early morning on Zwift each day then if the weather plays ball do my Lockdown Loop I devised in lockdown no1 after a quick snack, should be 80k a day then. If the weather doesn't play nicely (mainly wind) then I'll do the second ride on Zwift too.

Fully on Zwift with 196km down. Will break the 250km tomorrow.

229km all outside done so far (smart turbo is away for warranty which has removed that option).

Planning 120km today, then either one final flourish, or two smaller rides Tuesday and Wednesday depending on The forecast snow for Monday.

Every time I find the first couple of days easy, then it starts to fall apart in the middle as the lure of lazing around and eating too much becomes more enticing than 100+km in the cold and wet.

254km done all on Zwift  rest today then crack on tomorrow.

Heavy legs today and rubbish weather forecast so I decided to go out on the Singlespeed. Idiot. Anyhoo, another 20 miles (eventually) done so that 304km. Easy... 🙄

https://twitter.com/darwendashers/status/1343187331109498880?s=21

Mine are all Zwift too, but did the PRL full this morning so I’m now at 388km. Probably will split it into two.

Lovely 60km on the gravel SS this morning, mix of terrains and gradient. Nice views from Cheesefoot Head. 270km done, so ahead of pace. achievable distance to go over the next four days.

None today and looking like a dail due to pulling something in my groin trying to remove s trailboss tyre last night! Currently hobbling round house 🤦‍♂️ and one side of the tyre bead is stil not budging

Rapha Manchester are doing a "Gravenger Hunt" (a mix of Gravel and Scavenger) where they put three little woven roundels in an off-road spot then post some clues on their Instagram in the evening. First three people to decipher the clue and ride out there the following day.

Anyway the roundels today were up at Werneth Low, a ridgeline south of Manchester overlooking the city. I tried to pick what I knew would be the least headwindy way up but Christ it was a tough climb today! I got the last roundel so clearly some people had been up very early braving the rain. It had stopped raining by the time I went out (roads were still absolutely soaking) but it was still a strong wind.

Roundel collected I tagged on an extra loop out into the Peak District so 80km for today and 317km total.

The liquid grit from the early foray onto gravel to collect the roundel buggered the gears up a bit and the brakes were squealing like a stuck pig for a while so the bike is definitely going to need a bit of TLC when i can be bothered to get off the sofa.

253km done so far.

Taking a day off today as the 100km of yesterday has left me with some knee pain (no ACL in left knee, got out of the saddle around the 85k mark yesterday and managed to twist the knee slightly).

Going to break the last few rides down into 70, 80 and 100km all being well.

Could have done with a pedalo on some of the lanes today, but got round without incident (or getting my feet soaked) to leave 150km.

Rest day tomorrow, then see if I can drag out a mate or two for company on the final stretch.

101km yesterday and 91km today bring me up to 314km. We'll see about tomorrow, forecast is for snow showers so I may take Tempest with G-Ones or Gravel King for a bit of extra bite.

197km today in grim conditions. Over 7hrs of Wind, rain, hail and minus windchill. Then again it wouldn’t be the Rapha500 if the elements didn’t throw a curveball in. Around the 100k mark I had the unfortunate incident of my speedplay peddle detaching itself from its spindle 😩 Managed to cobble it back together but was peddling on eggshells on weather it’d get me back but get me back it did.
366km in two rides, hoping to get the challenge ticked of Tuesday or Wednesday with another big ride.

Finally jumped on the turbo just after 1530, hoping to get another 62.5Km ticked off on a group ride, but somehow managed to crawl past 100Km for my first fake Fondo and first turbo ride over 3 hours.

Might need to change name to John Wayne, but 319/500 now done.

Another 60km today to take me to about 200 in total. Should have been a bit more, but I punctured in the middle of nowhere, then realised I'd put my tool bag on the other bike yesterday and not moved it back 🤦‍♂️ Cue a 4 mile walk of shame (which I'm not counting).

Aiming to do a 200km audax on Wednesday so apart from that there's only 100km left. Unsure whether to go out and do it in one tomorrow then have a rest day, split into three little local rides that won't eat into the day, or a mixture.